Student Code of Conduct

The Department of Education and Training – DET has developed policy guidelines, which are the basis of our school’s Student Code of Conduct. School Council considers that a positive approach to behaviour is essential to foster our preferred school climate. Our policy is to promote and encourage the development of the following personal qualities: 

Teachers are committed to eliminating all forms of harassment and will endeavour to resolve conflict in a fair and consistent manner.

Teachers should:

• Provide positive role model
• Give constant positive reinforcement
• Encourage orderly and responsible play and behaviour within our school
• Develop respect and acknowledge differences
• Develop a set of classroom rules and consequences in consultation with their grade
• Encourage self discipline
• Model anger management/conflict resolution strategies
• Reward positive behaviour
• Pupil of The Week and Merit Certificates presented weekly by the Principal and acknowledged in the school newsletter.
• Incentive programs in classrooms.

Students:

All children have the right to feel safe and secure, therefore intimidating or dangerous behaviour is unacceptable.

These essential and non-negotiable rules exist

• Engage in safe harmonious play
• Use appropriate language, swearing is unacceptable
• Respect others (peers, teacher, visitors) feeling, opinions, bodies and possessions
• Listen to and respond to others in a courteous manner
• Do your best to succeed and allow others to do the same

Student Welfare

• Students who are experiencing difficulties in relating positively with other students or staff are encouraged to discuss these difficulties with the class teacher, unit leader, student welfare co-ordinator or administrative staff.

• Students can be assisted to establish goals and plans which build their confidence and competence in social relationships and academic work.

• Where a student is beginning to build up a history of unsatisfactory behaviour, parents will be notified with a view to negotiating and agreed approach to solving the problem before it becomes a serious matter.

• School support staff assistance can be arranged (in consultation with the parents) for students requiring specialist diagnosis/support

• Students will be encouraged to reach their potential by support groups consisting of teaching staff, support staff, administration personnel and the parents.

Disciplinary Measures

We ensure the maintenance of the Code of Conduct by employing a graded series of discipline measures. Breaches of the code incur penalties. The following penalties are graded in severity with emphasis on students being accountable and learning to take responsibility for their behaviour. The disciplinary measures are part of the teacher’s classroom management plan and are consistent with the while school plan for implementation of the Student Code of Conduct.

• Warning - Positive reinforcement, restate rule, direct to task

• Time out - Exclusion from class/playground activity

• Detention - Within unit arrangements: Lunchtime detention for breaches of non negotiable behaviour. After school detention for serious or repeated breaches.

• Intervention team - Establish strategies and ongoing monitoring of behaviour, eg: Behaviour modification. The team may comprise of the Principal / Assistant Principal, Teacher, Support Staff, Child, Parent(s)

If a student continues to breach the code of commits a very serious beach of the school’s code of conduct, the Principal may initiate suspension or expulsion procedures within Department of Education and Training guidelines.

This may result in:

• Further behaviour modification programs
• Referral to other agencies
• Relocation within the school
• Suspension from school – non attendance for a set period
• Voluntary transfer to another school
• Expulsion with alternative arrangements for schooling